The Real Siem Reap: 5 Authentic Local Experiences You Can’t Miss

Slow down, step off the tourist track, and experience the gentle rhythm, incredible friendliness, and hidden beauty of our home city.

A vibrant pink lotus blooming in Siem Reap, a symbol of Cambodia's natural beauty

If you ask anyone who has visited Siem Reap what their absolute favorite part of the trip was, you might expect them to say Angkor Wat. But surprisingly, they don’t! Almost every single time, travelers will tell you it was the incredible friendliness of the people. Then they fall in love with the majestic temples, the breathtaking golden hour sunsets, and the unbelievable local food.

As someone who lives and breathes this beautiful city every day, we can tell you firsthand that this warmth is completely genuine. Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter in the travel world about safety in Southeast Asia. But out here on the ground in Siem Reap, the reality is simple: this is one of the safest, most welcoming places in the world, especially for families. The local culture is deeply protective, kind, and community-oriented. You feel that safety in every smile, from the airport pickup to your evening strolls.

To help you experience that gentle, peaceful rhythm of the city we love so much, we’ve put together five of our absolute favorite "local secrets." These are the places where you can escape the crowds, meet the locals, taste the real flavors of Cambodia, and see what makes Siem Reap truly magical. 

Welcome to the Babel family! Our friendly team waiting to greet you at the Babel reception

Gem #1: A Sunset Hammock Afternoon at the Phnom Krom Lotus Fields

If you want to experience how locals truly unwind after a busy week, head out toward the Tonle Sap Lake in the late afternoon. Along the road, the city melts away into endless, vibrant green rice paddies and stunning lotus fields, with the ancient temple mountain of Phnom Krom rising up in the background.

Pure bliss—kids swinging over the stunning green rice paddies in front of Phnom Krom

This area is dotted with traditional Khmer restaurants made of private bamboo huts built right over the water. Our absolute favorite thing to do here is grab a hut, kick back in a hammock, and just watch the sky change colors.

Its peaceful, safe, and a massive hit for families. Kids love swinging in the hammocks just as much as the adults — bring some colouring books, a card game, or a favourite book, and they will be completely happy. The lotus fields are bursting with colour and butterflies, which keeps even the littlest ones entertained while you relax. Order some locally barbecued chicken, a plate of fresh green mango salad, and a few cold drinks. Watching the sun slowly dip below the lotus fields from the comfort of a hammock is a memory you won’t soon forget!

Babel Insider Tip: Have one of our trusted, ChildSafe certified tuk-tuk drivers take you out here around 4:00 PM. It gives you plenty of time to settle into a hut, order some food, and catch the peak golden hour light.

Gem #2: The Northern Riverside Stroll (Where the Locals Hang Out)

Most tourists only see the riverside right down by the Old Market or Pub Street, but if you want a taste of real Siem Reap life, head north. Start your walk just past the beautiful Royal Gardens and follow the river path heading upstream.

If you walk all the way up to the last bridge—which is actually surprisingly close to the entrance of Angkor Wat—and loop back down the other side, you’ll catch a glimpse of pure, authentic local life.

The serene, shaded pathways of the Northern Riverside where locals come to unwind

Away from the tourist crowds, this stretch of the river is a vibrant community hub. You’ll pass beautifully manicured parks, kids laughing on public playgrounds, and locals playing high-energy volleyball matches. In the late afternoon, the riverbanks come alive. You’ll often see groups of local youth sitting by the water playing acoustic guitars, and families just enjoying the breezy shade.

Keep your eyes on the sky as the afternoon starts to fade. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the massive fruit bats (known as flying foxes) or even the magnificent hornbills flying from tree to tree on their way back to the temples for the evening.

Take your time, stop at one of the cozy local coffee shops tucked along the route, and just soak it all in. It’s a wonderful, entirely safe walk that shows you exactly what the people of Siem Reap do to unwind—not the tourists.

Babel Insider Tip: This is a fantastic activity for a late afternoon (around 4:30 PM) when the midday heat breaks. It's flat, easy to navigate, and a great way for families to stretch their legs and let kids burn off some energy at the playgrounds while keeping an eye out for local wildlife!

Gem #3: A Golden Hour Picnic at the Backside of Angkor Wat

Almost every travel guide will tell you that you must see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. And while the sunrise is beautiful, it also comes with massive crowds, intense midday heat, and a lot of hustle and bustle.

If you want to truly feel the ancient magic of this majestic temple without the chaos, head to the eastern gate—the backside of Angkor Wat—in the late afternoon.

A magical family moment catching the golden hour picnic at the peaceful backside of Angkor Wat

As the golden hour approaches, the temperature drops and the heavy tourist crowds disappear. The sun sinks behind the temple, casting magnificent shadows through the giant, centuries-old heritage trees that surround the grounds. Best of all? By having your driver drop you off at the east gate, you completely skip the long, hot walk across the sun-drenched stone causeway from the public parking lot at the main entrance.

Pack a bag of local snacks, fresh fruit, and a blanket or grass mat. Find a shady spot under the trees, lay out your picnic, and just listen to the cicadas and the peaceful sounds of the surrounding jungle as the sky turns to gold. It is an incredibly safe, wide-open space where kids can explore gently, and it’s the perfect way for families to connect with the history of Cambodia in total peace.

Babel Insider Tip: You still need a valid Angkor Pass to enter this area, so it’s the perfect way to wrap up a day of temple touring. Have your Babel driver drop you off on the eastern side around 4:30 PM, pack a take-away box of snacks from our restaurant, and enjoy having one of the wonders of the world virtually to yourself.

Gem #4: The Labyrinth of Preah Khan (The Crowdfree "Tomb Raider" Vibe)

When people ask us for a temple recommendation that feels like a genuine, quiet adventure, our answer is always Preah Khan.

Built in the late 12th century, this massive complex is incredibly underrated. While everyone packs into Ta Prohm to see the famous Tomb Raider trees, Preah Khan offers that exact same mystical, jungle-swallowed atmosphere—but with a fraction of the crowds, even during peak travel season.

The layout of Preah Khan is built like a massive, symmetric labyrinth of vaulted corridors. You can easily spend hours getting blissfully lost here. As you wander deeper into the stone maze, you'll pass open courtyards, incredibly detailed carvings of celestial dancers in the Hall of Dancers, and a mysterious, two-story library building with round pillars that looks completely different from any other architecture in the park.

Little explorers discovering the hidden corners and giant jungle vines of Preah Khan

But the real magic is how the jungle has reclaimed the stone. Massive, ancient tree roots flow over the ruins like liquid wax, locking the corridors in a spectacular embrace. Because it is so quiet and shaded by a dense jungle canopy, it feels completely peaceful, safe, and deeply spiritual. It's a wonderful place for families to explore slowly together without feeling rushed by a sea of tour groups.

Babel Insider Tip: Enter through the East Gate and have your driver pick you up at the West Gate (or vice versa). This allows you to walk straight through the heart of the entire labyrinth without having to double back, making the walk much easier on little legs!

The striking, crowd-free ruins of the ancient Preah Khan

Gem #5: The Electric Energy of Road 60 Night Market

To wrap up your Siem Reap adventure like a true local, you have to visit the Road 60 Night Market. Open every evening, this is where Cambodian families come to shop, eat, socialise, and unwind. Located just outside the main town center, this is where Cambodian families come to shop, eat, socialize, and unwind. You won’t see many tourists here—if any at all—making it the ultimate authentic experience.

The vibrant sights, street food, and local energy of the Road 60 Night Market

The Road 60 market has an energy all of its own — colourful, noisy, and impossible not to love. Stall after stall lines the entire roadside, selling everything from incredibly cheap clothing and shoes to an incredible spread of Cambodian street food and snacks. Feeling adventurous? This is the place to try local delicacies like fried crickets or red ants! 

If you visit on a Saturday evening, you’re in for a massive treat: you can catch live, local Kun Khmer kickboxing matches. The crowd gets so into it, and the energy is absolutely contagious. 

Despite how busy and lively the market gets, it is incredibly safe, welcoming, and family-oriented. You’ll see parents pushing strollers, friends sharing picnic mats on the grass, and kids laughing on small funfair rides. It is the perfect, joyful snapshot of daily life in Siem Reap.

Sharing a delicious, authentic Khmer meal and local stories with our Babel team

Have a look at the YouTube Video by our returning guests WeLikeThisLife

Babel Insider Tip: This is the perfect place to invite your Babel tuk-tuk driver to park his ride and walk along with you! Our drivers genuinely love showing this side of their home city to our guests. Having them come along as a translator makes ordering local dishes or chatting with the vendors so much fun. You can simply invite them to share some street food and drinks with you, or leave them a nice tip at the end of the evening for their time. Go around 5:00 PM on any day (weekends are busier) to catch the best of the stalls, bring small cash bills, and come hungry!

On the road with our trusted, certified Babel Guesthouse tuk tuk driver

One last thing.

We know that travel to Southeast Asia can feel daunting, especially with everything you read online. But we want you to know — from 18 years of living here — that Siem Reap is one of the gentlest, most welcoming cities we have ever known. 

Leave the worries at home. Bring your appetite, your curiosity, and your family. Siem Reap will do the rest. 

Your home away from home is ready. Leave the worries behind and check in to Babel